Mamie, by Tania McCartney

A little while ago I wrote a review for ReadingTime.com.au of the second edition of Tania McCartney’s Australia Illustrated, it was the first book I’ve reviewed for them that I requested be put on the ‘highly recommend’ list. You can read the full review here.

This put Tania McCartney’s work on my radar a little more. We had read a few of her books but I’d never really sought out any of her stuff. I happened to listen to a podcast she was featured on where I heard her story and some of her experiences in the publishing world. I also learned that she started one of the biggest children’s literature blogs on the internet: Kids’ Book Review, which I had visited numerous times.

This lead me to the podcast she produces which is called The Happy Book. Tania has so much experience in children’s publishing and she very generously shares it all in these podcasts. She talks about the relationships between authors, illustrators, publishers, editors, and the audience. She explains the various stages of the publishing processes. She talks about contracts, conferences, and confidence. For anyone with a desire to be involved in the children’s book industry, her podcasts are an education.

Tania’s most recent book is called Mamie, and it is based on the life story and legacy of the legendary Australian children’s author and illustrator, May Gibbs. I would have thought that such a project would be very daunting – how do you even start illustrating the life of an illustrator, especially one considered to be a national treasure?

Mamie is a visually stunning book. Tania has such a wonderful style that is completely different to May Gibbs’ style, but which is equally whimsical and imaginative. I have a 6-year-old and she absolutely adored the pictures, I know this because she shouted it to me from the back of the van while I was driving and she was reading. The illustrations have a make-believe quality which allows a young girl to put herself in Mamie’s place.

All the wonderful depictions of Australiana in this book make it a great one for home or school libraries and as a gift for overseas visitors.